Forgiveness

Daily Reading

Matthew 6:14-15

Reflection

Letting Go

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things Jesus asks us to do as his followers. When I’ve been hurt or disappointed, I tend to replay the offense over and over again in my mind, cradling my anger instead of moving on. I become stuck in my own stubbornness, desiring to nurse my bitterness just a little bit longer. “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” we pray in the 5th Petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Do we understand how dangerous it is to pray this way? To ask that God would use the same measure of grace toward our sins that we use toward others?

In today’s reading from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is describing the good life of the kingdom, which involves, among other things, loving God and others. So, if you’re struggling to forgive someone who has caused pain or offense, good for you! Enlist the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement and accountability of a fellow believer or two. In your struggle to forgive, all of heaven is rooting for you! As you persevere, God will surely give you both grace and victory.

But whatever you do, please don’t give up. Please don't decide that you will NEVER forgive them (whoever “they” may be). Unforgiveness is like poison that we take ourselves, thinking that we are hurting someone else. I know that some offenses are unspeakable. That's why forgiveness is a process. But forgiving is not condoning. Forgiving is not trusting someone (again) who is untrustworthy. Nor is it pretending that consequences don’t matter. They do. Rather, forgiveness is letting go. It’s releasing someone from your judgment so that you can be truly free, whether they seek your forgiveness or not. 

A hard heart is incompatible with the good life. This is what God’s chosen people Israel learned when the Lord allowed them to be carried into exile by their enemies (see Jeremiah 13:19). When we are far from him, God loves us enough to get our attention, even in unpleasant ways, that he might bring us back into right relationship with himself and others.  

Prayer Practice

Is there any bitterness inside you that indicates a need to forgive someone? Picture Jesus on the cross, and take 2-3 minutes to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, grace, mercy, love, peace, and the like. As you breathe out, offer to God what you need Him to take from you – sin, anger, bitterness, anxiety, fear.

Living Without Forgiving

The story we read today, 1 Kings 1:28-48, really needs to begin at verse 1. This entire chapter paint a picture of family dysfunction. King David's family had challenges and troubles, much like your family and mine. Not that this fact is a comfort, but it does point to the reality of our broken world. A world that has been broken from the beginning. From Adam and Eve.

The first 27 verses in 1 Kings 1 relate the story of one of David's sons, Adonijah, Solomon's brother. The King, David, his father, was dying. His life nearing its end and Adonijah decided to get a jump on things. He declared himself king and began to plan his coronation and all the pomp that goes with it.

Nathan, the prophet, got wind of what was happening and went to Bathsheba. The two then went to the King to tell him. David immediately rectifies the situation by telling Bathsheba, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” (1 Kings 1:29-30 NIV)

I wish I could say that everyone lived happily ever after, but when we read on in 1 Kings, we see that is not so. More bloodshed and retribution took place. But isn't that the way it is even now? Too often, family transgressions are not easily forgiven nor forgotten. Brothers don't speak to brothers, sisters ignore sisters, holding grudges for years.

Jesus came to change all this; He came to forgive us so we can forgive others. Jesus's suffering and death was the hardest thing He had to so. It stands to reason that the act of forgiving others may well be the hardest thing we do too.

Dear Jesus, give me a heart to forgive. Help me overcome my fear of rejection and do the right thing. Amen.

1 Kings 1

David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11

Today we read the all too human story of David and Bathsheba. How sad it is as we see one sin lead to another (and another) in this tragic episode. You can make an argument that the sin chain starts
with covetousness (10th commandment) followed by adultery (6th commandment) followed by lies (8th commandment) followed by murder (5th commandment). What a mess!! But isn’t that the nature of sin? How often do we witness the sin in our own lives and in the lives of others spiral from one area of failure to another?

And what about those who are affected by sin? One of the lies that comes with sin is that it can be private, that no one else will be affected. That is rarely the case. Like a pebble thrown into quiet waters sin has a ripple effect, both in our actions and the people it affects.

Think of the people impacted by David’s sins.  Here’s a list that I came up with. Maybe you can think of more:

David
David’s servants
Bathsheba
Uriah
Joab
Soldiers killed or injured with Uriah
David and Bathsheba’s son (see Chapter 12)

What an awful condition that we live with! As we consider the devastation that sin causes in our world, it makes God’s grace and love all the more amazing. Consider that despite the rampant sin that we read about in 2 Samuel 11 there is ultimately repentance and forgiveness. Eventually Solomon is born to David and Bathsheba and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is descended from Solomon – see Matthew chapter 1.

I love the words that we recite during the communion service found in the King James Version of 1 John 1:8-9: “8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What an incredible and comforting promise given the nature of sin! 

Thanks be to God for grace through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Powerful Prayer

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other… that’s a tough thing to do.  It means being honest and vulnerable.  In today’s media-driven society, we like to show the best of the best, not the worst.  Life is messy, but no one wants to admit it.  It takes courage to own up to the bad choices we’ve made, and it takes being in a trusted relationship to feel comfortable enough to share our faults and weaknesses.  Confession doesn’t just happen, it requires faith.

And pray for each other so that you may be healed… and by healed James wasn’t referring to just repairing a bodily injury, but rather, being forgiven of sins.  Forgiveness heals us inside and out and allows us to live in communion with others in the way God intended.  Acknowledging sin's existence and praying for God’s healing power brings us back into relationship with Him.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective… some people are really good at praying, which is a testimony to the relationship they have with God.  People with an obvious connection to Christ are the ones I seek out when I’m in need, because as Luke 6:45 states, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Lord, fill my heart with good, so that my mouth speaks a testimony to you.  Make me an effective steward of your great love. Amen

Keys to the Treasure of Heaven

By Thomas Denegre

For every lock there’s a key.  For every mystery there’s a clue.  In Matthew Chapter 6:19-34 Jesus talks about the treasure from heaven that we should seek and having the clear eyes so our body will be filled with light. I know all of us want the treasure of heaven.  It’s eternal and marvelous.  So how do we acquire this treasure?  What is this treasure Jesus wants to give us? The eyes are the clue to this mystery.

Jesus used the term that bad eyes will make your body full of darkness. I discovered that bad eyes represent the way we value and filter things through our self-professed identity. Our character and virtues are established from our identity; such as being a doctor, lawyer, farmer, mother, teacher, bank robber, or a saint.

After college I entered the U.S. Navy pilot program.  I discovered early on that being a goofy college student was not compatible with being a professional pilot.  I bought a pair of gold wings and put them on a uniform.  I saw myself wearing those wings and then I saw the person behind them.  I saw the character and virtues a pilot needed to be great at his craft.  So, I robe myself with the virtues of being the best navy pilot and became one.  By stepping into my future identity, I was able to change my present self. 

My walk with God was in the same way.  For awhile I was the confused Christian who thought I was still a sinner or the goofy college student.  However, when I assumed my future identity as a saint, disciple and, a son of the Most-High God then I became transformed.  Everything changed.

As Ephesians 2:4-6 puts it: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…

By knowing I am a son of God, I robed myself with the virtues (Col. 3:12-14) of God that the Holy Spirit gave me, which allows me access to the treasures of heaven. St. Paul aptly wrote;

You are always and dearly loved by God! So, robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.  Col. 3:12-14 (TPT)

At this point I want to encourage you to embrace your identity as a son or daughter of God.  By knowing and being a son or daughter of the Most-High God, you freely receive the treasure from heaven.  By living in life union with Jesus and having his words living powerfully within you, (John 15:7)  the Holy Spirit will pour his living streams of water to empower and fill you with love, kindness, gentleness, long suffering, patience, peace, and joy.  By knowing and owning these characters of virtue, the treasures of heaven become yours.

The treasure is God’s presence and gifts with you all the time.  He will go through the trials, tribulations, and temptations in life with you.  You will never be alone.  Our Father will bring the love, trust, and security in your life.  By being broken in humility our Father will make you complete and perfect, you’ll be satiated with your sense of purpose and mission.

By investing yourself in the treasure of heaven you obtain real eternal wealth;

When you give

When you forgive

When you encourage and lift others

When you share the gospel

When you love your enemies

When you endure insults and persecutions

When you have mercy and tolerance for those in the family of faith

Truth is Truth

"If we go around bragging, 'We have no sin,' then we are fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth." (1 John 1:8 VOICE)

"...the truth is not in us..." (NIV)

"...refusing to accept the truth..."(TLB)

"...only fooling ourselves..." (MSG)

Of all the many the names of Jesus, Truth is a mighty one. He is many other things: Light, Savior, Redeemer and Lamb, to only name a few. But Truth stands out for me today. We are surrounded by so much untruth, out and out lies, that sometimes it is difficult to discern truth. I am learning that when faced with questioning if something is factual, I must turn to scripture and prayer. Satan can sugar coat deception and make it seem attractive, causing me to wonder what is right, what is wrong; where does truth live?

As I was reading the text for today, I noticed that this verse is teaching us that we are all sinful, imperfect, and far from righteous. We tend to think that everything is OK. If it feels good, do it. But we are really fooling ourselves. Acknowledging this is the first step to confessing and asking forgiveness.

But, when I wrestle with the reality that I am far from perfect; sometimes even denying that I am wrong, I am denying God and His Son. For if I don't admit I am imperfect, capable of sinful behavior, I am refusing to accept the truth. I am refusing to accept Jesus - who is Truth.

There are many examples of this in our society. The political system is at odds with itself, it is at odds with the Truth. Saying that it is okay to sacrifice an unborn baby for the convenience of the parent - is to deny truth. Removing the legal ramifications of murder doesn't make it any the less murder. Truth is truth. Abortion is murder.

As Christians we must pray to right these wrongs, to bring the Truth back into focus. We do this one prayer at a time, one day at a time.

  

1 John 1:8-10

You Are Unstoppable

by Thomas Denegre

As a young boy I often heard the family tell the story of my cousin who was killed in Iwo Jima during World War II.  As a Marine he was leading his squad when from behind them a Japanese soldier sprung out of concealed bunker to kill them.  He blocked the shooter by taking the full impact of the bullets and died saving his buddies.  Later my cousin was awarded the Silver Star medal. Jesus once said, “There is no greater love than a love that sacrifices all.”  John 15:13

As a believer I’ve learned this simple rule. Talk is cheap; action is everything. Children are especially good at identifying the hypocrites. People hide behind a mask of righteousness while conducting themselves like a depraved sinner.  It gives Christianity a bad name.   On the other hand, we have experienced a love beyond words that touched us in a magnificent way. This is what makes discipleship extraordinary. This is the action that changes people, cultures, and nations.

I learned no one cares about what you know, rather they want to know you care.

In today’s reading the apostle John teaches how love transforms our hearts into powerful action.

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children let us not love with word or with tongue, but with deed and truth. 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. 1 John 3:16-20       

As a believer and disciple of Jesus, you are the most powerful person walking on this earth. For the love of God inside you will conquer all, for it is written, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” 1 Cor. 13:7 and his “perfect love casts out all fear.”  1 John 4:18

Jesus said, “if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire, and it will be done.” John 15:7(TPT)

As a believer and disciple, you must open your heart to Jesus to allow his love to work in you and through you.  You do this by being transparent with your wounds and grievances.  Give your wounds to the Lord so he can heal your heart from hardness to tenderness. Repent and forgive others for the grievances.  Keep your gunny sack empty of grievances as this will eliminate bitterness and resentment in your heart.

Through this healing process the Holy Spirit can flow its living streams of life through you and onto others.  Knowing you are loved and healed, you will see people as God sees people.  It will become your nature to act out of God’s love. You’ll be able to love the unlovable. Forgive the unpardonable.  Console the brokenhearted.    Just in your tiny section of the world you’ll be able to have a powerful impact with family, friends, and strangers.  The power of God’s love through you will change you, change others, and change the culture.  Just look how the believers conquered and changed the Roman empire!

Open your heart to Jesus and become the unstoppable person God designed you to be, for your fellow disciples and the Most-High God will always be there to support you.

Forgiveness or Revenge?

Acts 7:55-8:3

Have you ever had to forgive someone for a wrong that you knew you didn't deserve? How hard was that? As we read today's passage, and we see the compassion that Stephen showed to those who stoned him to death, we need to stop and reflect on how incredibly hard this attitude of love and forgiveness would be without Jesus' saving grace and mercy.

Stephen says "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" How could he say that? Particularly as Saul, who was the leader of the Pharisees in their mission to enforce law and quell the uprising of this new sect, was so fierce in his hatred and zeal toward Christians: "Saul began to destroy the church." The word 'destroy' says it all. Saul hated the church.

Saul hates Jesus, but Jesus loves Saul. What does Jesus do in the face of such hate and anger? He says "come, drink from the living water I give you. You will never thirst again. Worship the Father in the spirit and in truth. (John 4)"

And we know that Saul became Paul, one of the most influential leaders of the early church. But he never forgot what he was like without Jesus:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. (I Timothy 1:15-16)

What works better, forgiveness or revenge? Revenge is so tempting, isn't it. We want to even the score, to make the other person feel the hurt that we have felt. But it doesn't ever work. Take a few minutes and meditate on these passages, and ask God to give you Stephen's heart, a heart that longs for everyone to know the true God who calls us out of a life of sin into a life that serves God.

Romans 12:17-21  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:38-39  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Luke 6:27  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

From Guilt to Change to Forgiveness

And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin. Romans 3:19-20 (The Message)

Guilt is a powerful force. This emotion produces shame and leaves us empty. The best case scenario is we will get to the point where this uncomfortable sensation prompts us to change, and acknowledge our guilt, and seek forgiveness. This is a process and one not achieved straightaway.

For many years I never saw the seriousness of the devastating path I traveled. Every day my stomach ached, and I couldn't shake it. I wasnt I'll, at least not physically; but my behaviors affected me like an illness. I compare this to a nervous stomach experienced while waiting to deliver a speech or sitting in the hospital waiting room anticipating the results of a test.

The day I faced my sinful my ways and made the decision to change, things didn't happen just because I said so. A day-to-day heart change took place. Some days I failed, and guilt would grab hold of me pouring a tidal wave of shame over me.

Over and over I would vow to do better. This change of heart became a gradual process, and one I repeated until it sank in. Each time I failed, I saw an opportunity to pursue forgiveness. In time and through prayer, the new behaviors outnumbered the old ones. But again, the process is long, allowing for God to grow me and draw me close to Him.

ADMIT OUR SINS TO EACH OTHER?

Scripture Reading: James 5: 14-16 (from The Message); Psalm 32:3-5 (from NASB)

Plenty of well-documented research shows that there is a strong connection between mind and body. When the body is not functioning properly due to illness or injury, the mind is strongly affected and can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.  In the same way, when our thoughts are focused on difficult situations in our lives, our bodies react, which can lead to physical illness: colds, ulcers, heart disease, etc. Treatment, in more recent years, has begun to focus both on physical symptoms and the mental state of the patient.

We could illustrate this in these simple terms:

            Problem: Mind is consumed by a work situation, leading to physical ailment.

            Remedy: Talk to someone to find solution to situation, and treat physical symptoms.

            Purpose: Peace re: situation (and resolution perhaps), and healing of physical issues.

Similarly, God’s word makes a connection between harboring sin in our minds and the state of our bodies:

Problem: When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning

all day long. For night and day thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was

drained away as with the fever heat of summer. (Psalm 32:3-4, NASB).

Remedy: I acknowledged [confessed, admitted] my sin to thee, and my iniquity

 I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” (vs 5a).

Purpose: And thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin (vs 5b). [Forgiveness].

In his book to fellow Christians, James expands the circle of confession to include “each other.” Why would they (we) need to do this? Isn’t just God knowing my sins and my having forgiveness sufficient? Well, Yes and No. Let’s apply the previous illustration one more time.

            Problem: Are you sick? Have you sinned?(James 5: 14a; 15c, The Message).

            Remedy:  1.Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the

            name of the Master (vs 14b).

            2.make this your common practice: confess your sins to each other and

            pray for each other (vs 16a).

Purpose:1.Believing prayer will heal you; you’ll be forgiven – healed inside out

            (vs 15a and c).

2.You can live together whole and healed (vs 16b).

3.The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be

reckoned with (vs 16c).

Jesus tells us over and over again the importance of loving one another. Living “whole and healed” together calls us to love on a deeper level, a freer place…to be known and loved, warts and all – and where we can extend that to others as well. And, there’s another great benefit: a powerful prayer life that can “accomplish much,” according to the end of verse 16 in NASB translation.

I want all the benefits of confession and prayer I can get – don’t you? Therefore, I will commit to admit my sins to God and others – won’t you?

Father, I desire to live “whole and healed” in the body of Christ. Help me be more open and honest before you and others. Amen.

Awesome Deeds

Read: Psalm 66:1-4

I’m picturing a new mother or father at the first sight of their newborn baby. The awe and wonder of new life is quite profound at that moment. It shows on their faces. It’s the face of Mary and Joseph, repeated each time new parents lay their eyes on their child.

Other amazing deeds of God are no less profound, so let’s not miss them. The word “Selah” at the end of this passage in Psalm 66 tells us to “pause and praise, to think about carefully.” According to these verses, God’s awesome deeds and power are worthy of our praise and deep thought. This week alone we have seen many of His workings:

•The promise of the coming of John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah

•The fulfillment of this promise at the pregnancy of Elizabeth

•The promise of the coming Messiah who will bring salvation and peace

•The restoration of joy at His salvation and offer of forgiveness

Yes, our God is an awesome God indeed! Let’s keep our sights expectantly on what He is about today. He is every bit as involved in stunning deeds now as He was in Bible times. Selah!

QUESTIONS:

1. How can we be more aware of what “awesome deeds” God is doing in and around us?

2. How might we continue to be awed by what God is doing rather than becoming complacent about His activity in the world?

PRAYER:

Wondrous God, overwhelm me with truth in Your Word and with deeds in Your world that I might sing praises to Your name! Amen.

Mary Lou Garves

#GivingTuesday

READ: Psalm 77:10-15

Today is Giving Tuesday, a unique phenomenon to the decade in which we live whereby we wrap up the first week of holiday shopping with a day of giving to our favorite non-profits. Since its inception in 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown exponentially, many years almost doubling the estimated total donations year-over-year. 

The numbers don’t lie: Giving is contagious.

In today’s scripture reading, the psalmist reflects on the many things God has given him. I’ve caught the fever, so let me do likewise. 

God has given me mercy by forgiving my sins through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. He has given me new life by raising Christ from the dead. He has given me companionship, wisdom, and guidance through the gift of the Holy Spirit. He has provided for my material needs, surrounded me with the family of believers, and begun restoring all that is broken within me.

Because of his great love for us all, God offers you these same gifts.

How then should we respond?

Let us today give forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Let us tell them about Christ that they may experience new life. Let us love one another, making time for each other, imparting our wisdom to each other, and guiding each other through the difficulties of life. Let us provide for the material needs of our fellow man, accept strangers as family, and lovingly spur one another on toward righteous living. 

Let us freely give as God has given to us.

CONFESSION AND COMPASSION

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5,9; 9:1-4, 16-17, 19, 27

 

How many times have you heard (or said yourself, perhaps), “The God of the Old Testament is all about Law, judgment and punishment?” often continuing with, “Thank goodness for the New Testament, where Jesus is all loving and compassionate.” At first glance, these observations may appear true. But as you read more and more in the Old Testament, you see quite the contrary.

 

In the verses for today, we see just one example of a repeating pattern:

·         The Israelites walked away from God (Neh 9:16-17)

·         were confronted with their sin ((Neh 8: 1-3, 5, 9)

·         were faced with consequences of their sin (Neh 9: 27a)

·         confessed their sin, cried out to God (Neh 9: 1-3)

·         each time experienced the forgiveness of their loving and compassionate Father (Neh 9: 17b; 19; 27b)

 

Time and again, God’s people of the Old Testament forgot how He took care of them and turned their collective backs on Him. And once again the Lord, in his mercy and love, disciplined them to bring them back to Himself to receive His forgiveness.

 

How God dealt with His people in ancient times is no different than He deals with us, His forgetful people in the Church today.

 

Thank you, Father, for your faithful pattern of compassion and forgiveness in response to our repeated forgetfulness and sin pattern in our lives. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness (Lam 3 22-23).”

God’s Grace Changes Lives

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians%202%3A13-17&version=NIV;GNT

 

Jesus told a great story about the unforgiving servant. In it, a servant who owed his master 10,000 talents (over $12 billion in today’s money) begged for grace and mercy. The king forgave the whole debt.

 

The same servant then turned around and demanded that a fellow servant pay back what he was owed – almost $12,000 in today’s money. Instead of showing his fellow servant mercy and grace, he had him thrown in prison.

 

The Thessalonian church was being severely persecuted, so they were dealing with serious struggles. Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to first stand firm in the face of their circumstances. Then he reminded them to show God’s grace to others in 
word and deed.

 

¹⁵ So then, our friends, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter. ¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, ¹⁷ encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.             GNT

 

These words apply to us just the same as they did to the Thessalonian believers. Standing firm in the midst of struggles, temptations, and sinful desires is no less difficult today that it was then.

 

Showing God’s grace in our daily life is also hard. Just try to show God’s grace to the guy who cuts you off in traffic; to the neighbor who yells at you because of your dog; to your spouse or children who don’t meet your expectations; to a co-worker who is annoying. But God’s grace changes lives.

 

John Newton was a slave trader who lived most of his early life at sea. Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery. During a fierce storm he had a conversion experience that changed his life. He became a minister and years later wrote the song “Amazing Grace”. He was also very influential in the abolition movement in England.

 

Which character do you identify with in Jesus’ story of the unforgiving servant? Do you find yourself more often judging others like the servant, or showing grace like the master? We are called to become more like the master.

 

God’s grace changes lives. Has it changed yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accusation & Justification: I Hear Voices in My Head

The Crow (1994) - Film of Accusation and Vengeance

READ: Mark 2:1-12

“Your sins are forgiven.” My dear friends, the gospel in four words. 

But do you really believe it? Is your life now totally guilt-free? Do you live unashamed, hiding nothing, knowing that all is forgiven and you are loved in spite of your past?

Not quite? Me neither. 

But Jesus says it’s all forgiven. Lost your temper? Forgiven. Gossip? Forgiven. Divorced? Forgiven. Premarital sex? Forgiven. Came off as too judgmental while writing a devotional? Forgiven!!!

Then why do we still feel guilty? According to Revelation 12, Satan accuses us day and night and leads the whole world astray. He tells us we’re not forgiven.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Film of Justification & Forgiveness

Yet the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins. And, boy, does he:

Alcoholic? Forgiven. Drug addict? Forgiven. Adulterer? Forgiven. Homosexual? Forgiven. Murderer? Forgiven. Pedophile? Forgiv   

“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming!”

Is he? Or is it true that no one can condemn us because Christ Jesus died for us and is also interceding for us? (Romans 8:33-34)

Do we then have a free pass to sin? 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

So, then, let us not merely rest in the forgiveness of sins, but let us follow the instruction Christ gives the adulterous woman whom he does not condemn: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:3-11)

Hiding in His Forgiveness

What to do When...You have to Speak Up

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.  2 Samuel 12:13

This verse is about forgiveness; about God's unconditional love for us, and the abundant grace He extends every day. Initially it is about God's forgiveness of King David, but ultimately it is about the forgiveness we all receive when we admit our wrong doing and repent - turn away from that sin.

King David's sin is an example of how we all fall short, but also of how we all can obtain God's mercy, no matter how grievous the sin. We must learn not to drown in guilt after failing to live into the righteousness of God. When we are confronted by a fellow Christian and recognize our failings, guilt need not overtake us nor take over our lives forever.

As a child, when we did something we knew we would be punished for, it was tempting to run away, to hide and pretend. But as adults we know we cannot hide and there isn't a place far enough away to run. That is good news, for God is near to us at all times and we only have to admit our failures and receive peace.

 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

Then we too can celebrate as David did when we wrote Psalm 32 to express the joy he felt after he was forgiven. Read Psalm 32 here.

Charlottesville Justice

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

On August 13 of this year, there was a deadly incident that occurred after two days of protests, counter-protests and confrontations. It ended with a young woman being struck and killed by a white supremacist who purposefully drove his car into a crowd. No matter where you turn today, the battle for justice seems to be lost.

The same was true during Jesus’ lifetime. He was born into a world where the invading Romans ruthlessly ruled and the Jewish religious leaders imposed their legalistic interpretation of the law, which was used to control the masses. It was used to judge and condemn. There was no mercy or grace.

Into this world, Jesus made a point of healing those who others would never touch. He didn’t differentiate who he loved based on their nationality, ethnicity or religion. He didn’t care whether you lived in poverty or were wealthy and powerful. He showed

justice for all.

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”   Luke 4:18-19 NIV

 God has instructed us that it is more important to live justly than to be religious.

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.   Micah 6:8 NIV

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, that because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the battle for justice in our own life is already won! Now it is up to us, to share that Good News justice with the world; to show God’s love and forgiveness to those who He has brought into our lives.

  

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.       NLT

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.   TLB

1-800 How’s My Driving?

Colossians 3:12-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A12-17&version=NIV;NLT

 

After seeing one of these bumper stickers, have you ever wanted to call the 1-800 number to let them know just how bad the driver of vehicle # 50 really is? But then you cut off the guy in front of you so what can you say?

 

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

 

When we trespass against someone, we feel like they should forgive us. But it’s often a different story when we’re the one that is offended. Consider the parable that Jesus told about the unmerciful servant.

 

The first servant begged his master to forgive him his large indebtedness; which he did.

But then the same servant immediately refused to forgive a fellow servant the small amount he was owed. Here’s what led up to this parable.

 

²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18 NIV

 

This is not a popular lesson. How many times should we forgive our boss or our employee? How many times should we forgive our spouse or parent or child? How many times should we forgive that difficult person who continually rubs you the wrong way? Paul wrote these words which addresses these questions.

 

¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.        Colossians 3 NLT

 

 “1-800 How’s my driving”, makes a clever bumper sticker. The idea behind it is to provide accountability; ultimately, to make the person behind the wheel a better driver. As followers of Christ, God has called us to become more like Him; in a sense, to be a better driver of our lives.

 

God’s character is to love and to forgive. But sometimes it’s hard for us to do that. However, all we have to do is call out to God, and He will answer. We don’t need a bumper sticker or an 800 number for that.